“Dale” writes to me in an e-mail: “The massive U.S. Department of Homeland Security contract with ATK Inc., to produce 450,000,000 (yes, 450 MILLION) rounds of very special .40 caliber S&W pistol ammunition, specifies that the cartridges be loaded with the costly, personal defense (anti-personnel) projectile known as Federal HST. The technology of the “HST” is, effectively, that of the Winchester “Ranger-T” product and the much-reviled Winchester “Black Talon.”

If I have to point-out the odious implication inherent in the U.S. Government’s purchase of this much ammo, of a kind not even used by the military — not to mention the incomprehensible sum required to fund the manufacture of these specialty rounds — then ignore this post because you merely deserve what is coming.